Under bed hitch mounting system

ABSTRACT

A hitch mounting system capable of attaching to a vehicle, where, the vehicle includes a frame and a load bed is disclosed. The hitch mounting system may include at least one rail, the rail being a generally continuous member, where the rail includes at least one end portion, and where the end portion is deformed in a shape capable of attaching to the frame of the vehicle. The hitch mounting system may also include at least one mounting aperture located in the rail, the mounting aperture capable of having secured thereto an accessory.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/459,034, filed on Mar. 15, 2017, entitled “Under Bed Hitch MountingSystem,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/992,331, filed Jul. 17, 2013, entitled “Under Bed Hitch MountingSystem,” now abandoned, which is a is a 35 U.S.C. 371 national stageapplication of and claims priority to International Application No.PCT/US11/63922 filed on Dec. 8, 2011, entitled “Under Bed Hitch MountingSystem,” which claims the benefit from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/421,156 entitled “Under Bed Hitch Mounting System”filed on Dec. 8, 2010, which are all hereby incorporated in theirentirety by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a towing apparatus and,more particularly, to an under bed hitch mounting system.

BACKGROUND

Many vehicles are designed to transport freight, goods, merchandise,personal property, and other such cargo. An operator often utilizes ahitch assembly to connect a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle, e.g.,connecting a trailer to a pick-up truck, to increase the capacity totransport the cargo. Many types of coupling devices have been developedfor providing this connection between towing and towed vehicles.

It is well known to utilize a hitch to connect a towed vehicle to atowing vehicle. There are many different types of hitches that may beattached to the towing vehicle in a variety of ways, depending on thetype of hitch used. For example, some fifth wheel hitches mount to theframe underneath the bed of the pickup truck while other fifth wheelhitches mount to an above bed mounting system.

Traditional fifth wheel hitches include a head assembly for receiving aking pin on a towed vehicle, a base having a plurality of legs, and oneor more mounting rails. In some systems, the legs of the fifth wheelhitch are designed to be secured to mounting rails that are attachedabove the bed or on the bed of the towing vehicle. In other systems, themounting rails may be fixed to the frame of a vehicle underneath thebed. For example, the mounting rails may be connected between twoportions of a pickup truck frame underneath the truck bed. The mountingrails may include a plurality of apertures for receiving the legs of thefifth wheel hitch.

Corresponding openings may be cut in the truck bed and aligned with theapertures in the mounting rails. The legs of the fifth wheel hitch maybe connected to apertures in the mounting rails through the openings inthe truck bed, thereby securing the fifth wheel hitch to the frame ofthe vehicle. When the fifth wheel hitch is not in use, the legs may bedisconnected from the apertures in the rails and the hitch may beremoved from the bed of the truck. Caps may be placed over the aperturesto allow the truck bed to be used for other purposes.

Traditional gooseneck hitches may also mount to a towing vehicle framebeneath the load bed of the towing vehicle. A gooseneck hitch may bedesigned for use in a load bed of a towing vehicle similar to a fifthwheel hitch. The difference is that the gooseneck uses a ball andcoupler verses a kingpin and pin receiver. Gooseneck hitches may includea mounting plate configured to connect to the frame of the towingvehicle, a receptacle in the mounting plate configured to receive a ballhitch, and a hitch ball removably connected to the receptacle andconfigured to engage a coupling member of the towed vehicle. An openingin the load bed of the towing vehicle may be aligned with the receptaclein the mounting plate. This may allow the hitch ball to connect to thereceptacle through the opening in the load bed of the towing vehicle.The hitch balls themselves are typically removable or retractable sothat when the hitch is not in use, the hitch ball may be removed orretracted when not in use. This may generally prevent obstruction of theload bed of the towing vehicle.

Towing vehicles are generally arranged to accommodate either a fifthwheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch, but not both. To convert a towingvehicle from accommodating a fifth wheel hitch to a gooseneck hitch orvice versa is time and labor intensive and inefficient. However, sincefifth wheel hitches and gooseneck hitches use different mountingconfigurations, traditionally only one hitch can occupy this location.Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved apparatus fortowing vehicles that may allow for selectively accommodating either afifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch.

Additionally, because the mounting rails attach to the underside of thetowing vehicle, there may be significant space limitations. These spacelimitations may cause limitations in the mounting rails that may beused. This in turn may impact the ability to attach mounting rails tothe underside of the towing vehicle, including, without limitation tothe frame of the towing vehicle. Therefore, there is a need in the artfor improved mounting rails.

SUMMARY

A hitch mounting system capable of attaching to a vehicle, where, thevehicle includes a frame and a load bed is disclosed. The hitch mountingsystem may include at least one rail, the rail being a generallycontinuous member, where the rail includes at least one end portion, andwhere the end portion is deformed in a shape capable of attaching to theframe of the vehicle. The hitch mounting system may also include atleast one mounting aperture located in the rail, the mounting aperturecapable of having secured thereto an accessory.

A hitch mounting system may include at least one rail, the rail being agenerally continuous tubular member, where the rail includes first andsecond surfaces and at least one end portion on the rail, where the endportion is deformed in a shape capable of attaching to a frame of avehicle and generally fitting between the frame and a load bed of thevehicle. The hitch mounting system may also include a receiving memberattached to the rail, the receiving member capable of having securedthereto an accessory.

A hitch mounting system capable of attaching to a vehicle, where thevehicle may include a frame and a load bed is disclosed. The hitchmounting system may include at least one rail, the rail being agenerally single continuous member having at least one end portion,where the end portion is deformed in a shape capable of attaching to theframe of the vehicle and generally fitting between the frame and theload bed of the vehicle. The hitch mounting system may also include atleast one mounting aperture located in the rail, a channel memberpositioned in the aperture and attached to the rail, and an accessoryattachment member selectively attached to the channel member, whereinthe accessory attachment member is capable of having secured thereto anaccessory.

A hitch mounting system may include at least one generally continuoustubular rail member capable of attaching to a frame of a vehiclegenerally below a load bed of the vehicle and a channel member attachedto the rail member. The hitch mounting system may also include anaccessory attachment member selectively attached to the channel member,where the accessory attachment member is capable of having securedthereto an accessory.

A hitch mounting system may include at least one rail capable ofattaching to a frame of a vehicle generally below a load bed of thevehicle, at least one mounting aperture located in the rail, and areceiving member positioned in the aperture and attached to the rail.The receiving member may include a channel member positioned in theaperture and attached to the rail, where the channel member has a membertop surface, and an accessory attachment member attached to the channelmember by inserting the accessory attachment member into the channelmember and rotating the accessory attachment member, where the accessoryattachment member is capable of having secured thereto an accessory.

A hitch mounting system capable of attaching to a vehicle where thevehicle may include a frame and a load bed is disclosed. The hitchmounting system may include at least one rail capable of attaching to aframe of a vehicle generally below a load bed of the vehicle and atleast one mounting aperture positioned in the top surface of the rail.The hitch mounting system may also include a channel member positionedin the aperture and attached to the rail, where the channel member has atop surface positioned generally below the load bed of the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Operation of the invention may be better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the followingillustrations, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of some embodiments of an under bed hitchmounting system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the under bed hitch mounting system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rail of the under bed hitch mountingsystem.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rail of the under bed hitch mountingsystem.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an end portion of the rail of the underbed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of some embodiments of a receiving memberof an under bed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of some embodiments of a channel member ofan under bed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of some embodiments of a puck member of anunder bed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of other embodiments of a puck member ofan under bed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of other embodiments of a channel member ofan under bed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of other embodiments of a puck member ofan under bed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of other embodiments of a receiving memberof an under bed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of other embodiments a receiving member ofan under bed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 13 is a perspective and partially exploded view of otherembodiments of an under bed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of some embodiments of an adapter plate ofan under bed hitch mounting system.

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view a towing vehicle having an under bedhitch mounting system attached to a frame below a load bed of the towingvehicle with a gooseneck hitch attached.

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of a frame of a towing vehicle withan under bed hitch mounting system attached to the frame with agooseneck hitch attached.

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of a towing vehicle having an underbed hitch mounting system attached to a frame below a load bed of thetowing vehicle with a fifth wheel hitch attached.

FIG. 18 is a rear perspective view of a frame of a towing vehicle withan under bed hitch mounting system attached to the frame with a fifthwheel hitch attached.

FIG. 19 is a detailed view of a receiving member of an under bed hitchmounting system and an accessory member.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of other embodiments of a receivingmember of an under bed hitch mounting system in an unlocked position.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of other embodiments of the receivingmember of an under bed hitch mounting system in a locked position.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of other embodiments of a receivingmember of an under bed hitch mounting system in a locked position.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of other embodiments of the receivingmember of an under bed hitch mounting system in an unlocked position.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of other embodiments of the receivingmember disassembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand structural and functional changes may be made without departing fromthe respective scope of the invention. Moreover, features of the variousembodiments may be combined or altered without departing from the scopeof the invention. As such, the following description is presented by wayof illustration only and should not limit in any way the variousalternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustratedembodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate some embodiments of a hitch mounting system 30,such as an under bed hitch mounting system 30 shown in the exemplaryembodiments described and shown herein. The under bed hitch mountingsystem 30 may be used with a towing vehicle 34 and may allow forselectively accommodating both of a fifth wheel hitch 91 and a gooseneckhitch ball 448. Although, in other embodiments, the hitch mountingsystem 30 may only allow for having attached thereto fifth wheel hitchesand yet other embodiments the hitch mounting system 30 may only allowfor having attached thereto gooseneck hitches.

Many types of gooseneck and fifth wheel hitches may be mounted to a loadbed 32 of a towing vehicle 34. These types of hitches may often have atleast a portion thereof mounted beneath the load bed 32 of the towingvehicle 34 in conjunction with the towing vehicle's own frame rails 36;exemplary embodiments of which are described in more detail below.

The under bed hitch mounting system 30 may include at least one railmount or transverse member 40 and may include at least one mid rail oradapter plate 45 secured to the rail 40. By way of a non-limitingexample, the under bed hitch mounting system 30 may include two rails 40and one mid rail or adapter plate 45. The rails 40 and adapter plate 45may be configured to support a gooseneck hitch ball 448 or a fifth wheelhitch 91, as applicable. While the under bed hitch mounting system 30may be shown and described as having two rails 40 and one mid rail oradapter plate 45, it is to be understood that there may be anyappropriate number of rails and adapter plates and it should not belimited to that shown and described herein. By way of a non-limitingexample, the under bed hitch mounting system 30 may only include tworails 40 and may not include the adapter plate 45.

The rails 40 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as having agenerally tubular, square, rectangular, or the like shape, and may besized to generally fit under the load bed 32 of the towing vehicle 34.More specifically, the rails 40 may be attached to the frame rails 36 ofthe towing vehicle 34. In some embodiments, the rails 40 may be formedfrom a single generally continuous piece, such as a generally continuousand generally rectangularly-shaped tubular member. The shape of therails 40 may allow the rails 40 to have the ability to fit between theframe rails 36 of the towing vehicle 34 and the load bed 32 of thetowing vehicle 34, which may be a generally constrained area. The rails40 may be made from rigid material such as steel or the like. The rails40 may include a top surface 42 and a bottom surface 44. The rails 40may also include a first end 50 and a second end 55. The first andsecond ends 50, 55 may each include a deformed portion 57, 59respectively, which may be generally positioned on the bottom surface44.

The deformed portions 57, 59 may allow the rails 40 to generally fitbetween the frame rails 36 of the towing vehicle 34 and the load bed 32of the towing vehicle 34. The deformed portions 57, 59 may be deformedin any appropriate manner. By way of a non-limiting example, thedeformed portions 57, 59 may be formed by stamping, which may create agenerally smooth, reinforced, tubular structure that may be capable ofattaching to the towing vehicle 34.

The deformed portions 57, 59 may be of any appropriate shape and size.The shape and size may be based on the configuration of the towingvehicle 34 to which the under bed hitch mounting system 30 may beattached. In some embodiments, the deformed portions 57, 59 may be ofgenerally the same shape and size. In other embodiments, the deformedportions 57, 59 may be of generally different shapes. The appropriateshape may depend upon the shape and size of the frame rails 36 of thetowing vehicle 34 and the space between the frame 36 and load bed 32 ofthe towing vehicle 34.

In some embodiments, the deformed portions 57, 59 may include top bottomsides 60, 61 that may be generally folded up toward the top surface 42.This may generally form a substantially C-shape as shown in FIGS. 3-5.The folding of the deformed portions 57, 59 may form channels 65, 67,respectively. More specifically, and as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the rails 40in some embodiments may transition from a generally full, undeformedtubular portion, to a generally C-shaped portion through first andsecond transition portions 68, 69, which may be positioned at the firstand second ends 50, 55 of the rails 40.

Unlike the prior art, no additional rail components may be required toattach the rails 40 to the frame rails 36 of the towing vehicle 34. Therails 40 being of a generally single continuous member may generallyprevent some of the structural limitations of the prior art thatutilizes multiple pieces coupled together. The rails 40 of the presentteachings may generally limit the presence of stress risers, which maybe present in the rails of the prior art. The limitation or generalreduction of the unwanted stress risers may generally improve thefunction of the rails 40.

The under bed hitch mounting system 30 may further include a bracket 70,which may be generally L-shaped, and a plate 71, which may be generallyflat. The shape and size of the bracket 70 and plate 71 may be of anyappropriate shape and size and may vary depending upon the make andmodel of the towing vehicle 34 to which they may be attached. The rails40 may attach to the frame rails 36 of the towing vehicle 34 immediatelyunder the load bed of the towing vehicle 34 by attaching the brackets 70to the frame rails 36 of the towing vehicle 34. By way of a non-limitingexample, the brackets 70 may be attached to the frame rails 36 of thetowing vehicle 34 by welding, using fasteners such as nuts and bolts, orutilizing any other appropriate attachment apparatus or method.

The plate 71 may attached to the end portion 50, 55 of the rails 40 atthe deformed portions 57, 59 by any appropriate manner, such as by wayof a non-limiting example, welding, using fasteners such as nuts andbolts, or utilizing any other appropriate attachment apparatus ormethod. The thickness T of the plate 71 may generally allow for theappropriate spacing between the ends 50, 55 of the rails 40 and bracket70 to generally accommodate the space constraints present on theunderside of the towing vehicle 34. The attached combination of the flatplate 71 and the rails 40 may then be attached to the bracket 70. Insome embodiments, a fastener 72 may used to attach the attachedcombination of the plate 71 and the rails 40 to the bracket 70. In theseembodiments, the substantially C-shaped deformed portions 57, 59 maypermit adequate space for attachment of the fastener 72.

Each rail 40 may include one or more sockets 73. In some embodiments,each rail 40 may include a pair of sockets 73. However, in otherembodiments, the rails 40 may include any appropriate number of sockets73. The sockets 73 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as agenerally ovular, circular or rectangular shape. The sockets 73 may beformed in the rail 40 in any appropriate manner, such as by way of anon-limiting example by piercing the rails 40 in an appropriatelocation. The sockets 73 may be configured to receive and support legs83 of the fifth wheel hitch 91. The legs 83 may be secured to the rails40 through the sockets 73 by any appropriate means, such as byfasteners, fastening systems, welding, or the like. Apertures 75 may bedrilled or otherwise formed in the load bed 32 of the towing vehicle 34that may generally correspond to the locations of the sockets 73 in therails 40 that may be attached to the frame rails 36 of the towingvehicle 34. The fifth wheel hitch 91 may be removably connected to thesockets 73 in the rails 40 through the apertures 75 located in the loadbed 32 of the towing vehicle 34 as further described herein.

In some embodiments, the sockets 73 may be shaped to attach a receivingmember 74 thereto. The receiving members 74 may selectively attach thelegs 83 of the fifth wheel hitch 91 to the under bed hitch mountingsystem 30. In these embodiments, the receiving members 74 may be mountedin the socket 73 provided in any of the rails 40. The receiving member74 may be secured in the socket 73 by any appropriate means, such aswith fasteners, welding or the like. In the some embodiments, thereceiving members 74 may be welded to the sockets 73.

In some embodiments, the receiving members 74 may compromise a puckmounting system of a fifth wheel hitch 91 whereby the fifth wheel hitch91 may be installed through four small apertures 75 in the load bed 32,such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.20100109285, entitled “UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM,” and thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,121,573, entitled “VEHICLE ACCESSORYMOUNTING SYSTEM,” the disclosures of which are incorporated by referenceherein. Utilizing a puck mounting system or the receiving member 74 mayprovide generally uninhibited use of the load bed 32 of the towingvehicle 34 when the fifth wheel hitch 91 is dismounted. The receivingmember 74 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as by way of anon-limiting example, a cylindrical, oval, or a square shape, but shouldnot be limited to that shown and described herein.

As shown in FIG. 6, the receiving member 74 may include a channel member76 and a puck member 78. The channel member 76 may be shaped to fitwithin the sockets 73 such that it has a top surface 77 flush orsubstantially flush with the top surface 42 of the rails 40. The channelmembers 76 may then be welded to the top surface 42 of the rails 40.This may permit attachment of the receiving member 74 to the rails 40without having to access the underside of the load bed 32 of the towingvehicle 34 as may be required in the prior art. This may make attachingthe receiving members 74 to the rails 40 generally easier to accomplish.

The channel member 76 shown in FIGS. 6-7 may include a pair of legs 84that may be of a shape and size to generally permit the channel member76 to fit within the socket 73 so that the top surface 77 of the channelmember 76 may be generally flush or substantially flush with the topsurface 42 of the rails 40. The channel member 76 may, however, notinclude the legs 84. If the depth of the sockets 73 in the rails 40 isless, the legs 84 may not be necessary. If, on the other hand, the depthof the sockets 73 in the rails is greater it may be necessary to includethe legs 84.

In some embodiments, the channel member 76 may include a plurality ofbolt apertures 88 and a pair of locator apertures 92. The puck member 78may include a pair of nubs 94, a plurality of bolt apertures 96 and acenter section recess 98, such as an aperture or slot. The nubs 94 ofthe puck member 78 may engage with the locator apertures 88 of thechannel member 76 so that the puck member 78 may be generally orientedin the proper position on the channel member 76 during installation.Further, the engaging of the nubs 94 with the locator apertures 92 mayposition the bolt apertures 88 of the channel members 76 with the boltapertures 96 of the puck member 78. A fastener 97 of any appropriateshape and size may then be inserted into the bolt apertures 96 and 88 sothat the puck member 78 may attach to the channel member 76.

The puck member 78 may be of a size and shape so that it may generallyfit flush or substantially flush with the load bed 32 of the towingvehicle 34 in which it may be installed. Different thickness puckmembers 78 may be used to account for the varying thicknesses of loadbeds of various towing vehicles, i.e., the puck member 78 may be of anappropriate thickness based upon the distance between the load bed 32and the frame rails 36 of the particular towing vehicle 34 to which theunder bed hitch mounting system 30 may attach. Additionally, the puckmember 78 may have a thickness that may generally account for a bedliner installed onto the load bed 32 of the towing vehicle 34 so thatthe puck member 78 may generally remain flush or substantially flushwith the bed liner.

The center recessed section 98 may be of a shape and size to receive anaccessory member 101 such as a T-bolt 103 having a handle 105. Anynumber or variety of accessory members 101 may be utilized with thereceiving members 74. The accessory member 101 may be any appropriate ordesired type of object, such as a cap, a safety chain tie down member,fifth wheel hitch or the like. By way of a non-limiting example, capsmay be placed over the receiving members 74 or apertures 75 in the loadbed 32 when the fifth wheel hitch 91 is not in use. In theseembodiments, the accessory member 101 may also attach the legs 83 of thefifth wheel hitch 91 to the rails 40. The fifth wheel hitch 91 may bepositioned onto the load bed 32 of the towing vehicle 34 so that thelegs 83 may generally align with the sockets 73 and in particular thereceiving members 74. The appropriate accessory member 101 may then beinserted into the receiving members 74. The accessory member 101 maythen be rotated to secure the appropriate items, such as by way of anon-limiting example; legs 83 of the fifth wheel hitch 91 to the rails40. In particular, the handle 105 may only need to be turned one-quarterrevolution and then the T-bolt 110 may engage the receiving member 74 tosecure the legs 83 of the fifth wheel hitch 91 to the receiving member74 of the rails 40. It should be understood, however, that any type ofaccessory member can be used and is not limited to that shown ordescribed herein.

Additional embodiments of an under bed hitch mounting system accordingthe present teachings are described below. In the descriptions, all ofthe details and components may not be fully described or shown. Rather,the features or components are described and, in some instances,differences with the above-described embodiments may be pointed out.Moreover, it should be appreciated that these additional embodiments mayinclude elements or components utilized in the above-describedembodiments although not shown or described. Thus, the descriptions ofthese additional embodiments are merely exemplary and not all-inclusivenor exclusive. Moreover, it should be appreciated that the features,components, elements and functionalities of the various embodiments maybe combined or altered to achieve a desired under bed hitch mountingsystem without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentteachings.

In other embodiments shown in FIGS. 9-10, the receiving member 174 mayinclude a channel member 176 and a puck member 178. The receiving member174 or more specifically, the channel member 176 may include a pair oflegs 184 that may be of a shape and size to permit the channel member176 to generally fit within the socket 73 so that a top surface 186 ofthe channel member 176 may be flush or substantially flush with the topsurface 42 of the rails 40. It, however, is not necessary to include thelegs 184 depending upon the size and shape of the rails 40 and thethickness of the channel member 176 as previously mentioned.

The channel member 176 may further include a pair of locator apertures192 and a threaded portion 185. The puck member 178 may include ananti-rotation mechanism 193 such as a locking pin 197 as shown in FIG.10, a male-threaded portion 195 and a center section recess 198. Inthese embodiments, the puck member 178 may be attached to the channelmember 176 by engaging the threads 195 of the puck member 178 with thethreads 185 of the channel member 178. The threads 185 may matinglyengage the threads 195, which may secure the puck member 178 to thechannel member 176.

To ensure that the puck member 178 is not easily removed from thechannel member 176, an anti-rotation mechanism 193 may be used. In theseembodiments, the anti-rotation member may include a locking pin 197 anda corresponding aperture 199 in the puck member 178. The locking pin 197may fit into the aperture 199 via an interference fit. The locking pin197 may be pushed into the aperture 199. Next, the puck member 178 maybe rotated until fully seated and then rotated in an opposite directionuntil the locking pin 197 may engage the locator aperture 192. Once thelocking pin 197 may be so engaged with the locator aperture 192, thelocking pin 197 may be pushed into engagement with the locator aperture192 via the interference fit. The anti-rotation mechanism 193 maygenerally prevent further rotation and thus removal of the puck 178 fromthe channel member 176.

The center recess section 198 may be of a shape and size to receive anyappropriate accessory member 101 such as the T-bolt 103 having a handle105. Any number or variety of accessory members 101 may be utilized withthe receiving members 174.

In other embodiments shown in FIG. 11, a receiving member 274 may be ofa one-piece integral construction. In these embodiments, the receivingmember 274 may include a channel portion 276 and a puck portion 278,which may be integrally formed with one another. The channel portion 276may include a pair of legs 284, which may be optional as previouslydiscussed. The legs 284 may be of a shape and size to permit the channelportion 276 to fit within the socket 73 so that a top surface 286 of thechannel portion 276 may be flush or generally flush with the top surface42 of the rails 40. It, however, is not necessary to include the legs284 depending upon the size and shape of the rails 40 and the thicknessof the channel portion 276.

The receiving member 274 may be formed by casting, forging, or any otherappropriate process. As the receiving member 274 may be integrallyformed, the receiving member 274 may not require any kind of mechanismto ensure that the channel portion 276 and puck portion 278 are alignedproperly as they may be formed generally properly aligned.

The center recess section 298 may be of a shape and size to receive anaccessory member 101 such as a T-bolt 103 having a handle 105. Anynumber or variety of accessory members 101 may be utilized with thereceiving members 274. The accessory member 101 may be any appropriateor desired type of object, such as a cap or a safety chain tie downmember.

In other embodiments in FIG. 12, a receiving member 374 may include anattachment portion 376 and a puck portion 378. Similar to the previouslymentioned embodiments, the receiving member 374 may be a one-pieceintegrally formed body. The receiving member 374 may be formed byforging, casting or any other appropriate method. The attachment portion378 may include a pair of flanges 381 and a pair of locating apertures392. The flanges 381 may be substantially flat and may cause theattachment portion 378 to be a substantially oval shape having a firstend portion 393 and a second end portion 394. In these embodiments,attachment portion 378 may be placed on the top surface 42 of the rails40 over the sockets 73. The attachment portion 378 may then be welded tothe top surface 42 of the rails 40. More specifically, the circumferenceof the attachment portion 378, less the first end portion 393 and thesecond portion 394, may be welded to the top surface 42 of the rails 40.The first and second end portions 393, 394 may not be welded to allowfor some flexibility in the receiving member 374. Having the flexibilitymay generally prevent or limit unwanted stress risers and strain on thereceiving member 374 and the rails 40. The locating apertures 392 may beused during the manufacturing process to help orient the center sectionrecess 398 that may be located in the puck portion 378.

In other embodiments, the attachment portion 378 may be attached to therail 40 along any location accessible via the load bed 32 of the towingvehicle 34. It may not be necessary to use the sockets 73 to attach thereceiving member 374 in these embodiments. The attachment portion 378may be welded to the top surface 42 of the rails 40. This structure maytake loading away from the rails 40.

The center recess section 398 may be of a shape and size to receive anaccessory member 101 such as a T-bolt 103 having a handle 105. Anynumber or variety of accessory members 101 may be utilized with thereceiving members 374. The accessory member 101 may be any appropriateor desired type of object, such as a cap or a safety chain tie downmember.

In those embodiments that may utilize the gooseneck hitch ball 448, theunder bed hitch mounting system 30 may utilize the mid rail or adapter45; exemplary embodiments of which are shown in FIGS. 13-16. The midrail or adapter plate 45 may be of any appropriate shape or size, suchas a generally rectangular or tubular shape that may generally span thelength between the rails 40. The mid rail or adapter plate 45 may beconfigured to connect to the rails 40. The mid rail or adapter plate 45may be attached to the rails by any appropriate means, such as withfasteners, welding or the like.

The adapter plate 45 may be of a generally one piece construction or mayinclude several sections that may be secured together. The adapter plate45 may include a center section 432 and one or more mounting sections434 extending therefrom. By way of a non-limiting example, there may betwo mounting sections 434. As an alternative, there may be no mountingsections 434, such that the center section 432 may be attached directlyto the rails 40.

The center section 432 may be located between the mounting sections 434.The mounting sections 434 may extend at a downward angle and away fromthe center section 432, such that the center section 432 may bepositioned above the mounting sections 434. The mounting sections 434may extend in opposite directions away from the center section 432.

The mounting sections 434 may engage the rails 40 at any appropriatelocation, such as the underside 44 of the rails 40. The mountingsections 434 may be configured to connect to the rails 40 by anyappropriate means, such as with fasteners, welding or the like. When theadapter plate 45 may be connected to the rails 40, the center section432 may be approximately flush with and parallel to the rails 40. Whenthe mounting section 434 may engage the rails 40, the mounting sections434 may be approximately parallel to the rails 40. Each mounting section434 may include one or more openings or rail mounting apertures 438. Themounting apertures 438 may be configured to align with mountingapertures 47 in the rails 40, shown in FIG. 4. The mounting apertures438 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as a generallycircular, ovular or rectangular shape.

The adapter plate or mid rail 45 may also include a base member 442. Thebase member 442 may be of any appropriate shape or size, such as agenerally square, rectangular or tubular shape. The base member 442 maybe attached to the bottom of the adapter plate or mid rail 45. The basemember 442 may be attached to the mid rail 45 by any appropriate means,such as by welding, fasteners or the like. The base member 442 may alsobe secured to the rails 40, such as on the underside 44 of the rails 40.

The adapter plate or mid rail 45 may be configured to receive a hitchball 448. By way of a non-limiting example, the center section 432 mayinclude a hitch ball socket 450 that may be configured to receive thehitch ball 448. The hitch ball socket 450 may be of any appropriateshape or size, such as a generally cylindrical shape. The hitch ballsocket 450 may be located at any appropriate position on the adapterplate 45, such as the approximate center of the adapter plate 45. By wayof a non-limiting example, the hitch ball socket 450 may be configuredto receive a removable hitch ball 448 with spring-loaded ball bearings.It should be appreciated, however, that the receptacle 450 may beconfigured to receive any appropriate type of hitch ball 448 and shouldnot be limited to that shown or described herein.

Apertures may be drilled in the load bed 32 of the towing vehicle 34that may generally correspond to the locations of the sockets 73 in therails 40 and the hitch ball socket 450. A fifth wheel hitch may beremovably connected to the sockets 73 in the rails 40 through theapertures located in the load bed 32. A hitch ball 448 may be removablyconnected to the hitch ball socket 450 through the aperture 455 in theload bed 32, whereby a gooseneck hitch may be utilized.

In other embodiments shown in FIGS. 20-24, a receiving member 574 mayinclude a channel member 576 and an accessory attachment member or puckmember 578. In some embodiments, the receiving member 574 or morespecifically, the channel member 576 may include a pair of legs that maybe of a shape and size to permit the channel member 576 to generally fitwithin the socket 73 so that a top surface 586 of the channel member 576may be generally flush or substantially flush with the top surface 42 ofthe rails 40. In other embodiments, the channel member 576 may notinclude legs. In these embodiments, however, the channel member 576 maybe attached to the rails 40 by any appropriate method, such as by way ofa non-limiting example, welding, using fasteners, or the like.

Once attached, the channel member 567 may be generally shorter than thebottom side of the load bed 32 of the towing vehicle 34. This may resultin being capable of attaching the under bed hitch mounting system 30with the channel member 576 being attached to the towing vehicle 34 andnot having to create apertures in the load bed 32 if they may beundesired. In addition, certain of the apertures may not be needed ifonly a gooseneck option was chosen, i.e., only needing three of the fiveapertures.

The channel member 576 may further include a pair of locking apertures592 and a recessed portion 585. In some embodiments, the channel member576 may include a pair of recessed portions 585 as shown in FIG. 24. Thepuck member 578 may include a locking mechanism 593 such as a lockingpin 597 as shown in FIG. 24, a flange 595 and a center section recess598. In some embodiments, the puck member 578 may include a pair offlanges 595 that may be correspondingly shaped and sized to the recessedportions 585 of the channel member 576. In these embodiments, the puckmember 578 may be attached to the channel member 576 by generallyaligning the flanges 595 with the recessed portions 585 and insertingthe puck member 574 relative to the channel member 576. This may securethe puck member 578 to the channel member 576.

More specifically, the channel member 576 may include a channel 600positioned therein. Once the puck member 578 may be inserted into thechannel member 576 and rotated, the flanges 595 of the puck member 578may be rotated to be positioned within the channel 600, which maygenerally prevent the puck member 578 from being removed. In theseembodiments, the puck member 578 may be rotated approximately a quarterturn, i.e., 90 degrees, to be locked into place. As shown in FIGS.20-23, the flanges 595 may become generally misaligned with the recessportions 585 and the flanges 595 may engage the channel 600 of thechannel member 576 selectively attaching the puck member 578 to thechannel member 576.

To ensure that the puck member 578 is not generally capable of beingremoved from the channel member 576, the locking mechanism 593 may beused. In these embodiments, the locking mechanism 593 may include thelocking pin 597 and a corresponding aperture 599 in the puck member 578.Any appropriate number of apertures 599 may be used, e.g., one, two,three, etc. In addition any number of locking pins 597 may be used,e.g., one, two, three etc. Still further, the number of apertures 599may match the number of locking pins 597 utilized or the numbers ofapertures 599 and locking pins 597 may not be the same. The locking pin597 may fit into the aperture 599 via an interference fit. The lockingpin 597 may be pushed into the aperture 599. Next, the puck member 578may be rotated, e.g., 90 degrees, until fully seated wherein the lockingpin 597 may engage the locking aperture 592. Once the locking pin 597may be so engaged with the locking aperture 592, the locking pin 597 maybe pushed into engagement with the locking aperture 592 via theinterference fit. The locking mechanism 593 may generally preventfurther rotation and thus removal of the puck member 578 from thechannel member 576.

The center recess section 598 may be of a shape and size to receive anyappropriate accessory member 101 such as a T-bolt 103 having a handle105. Any number or variety of accessory members 101 may be utilized withthe receiving members 574. The accessory member 101 may be anyappropriate or desired type of object, such as a cap or a safety chaintie down member.

As mentioned above the installer may use the receiving member 574, or atleast the channel member 576, in the towing vehicle and may not have topre-drill any apertures in the load bed 32. In addition, the receivingmember 574 may include a puck member 578 that may be of the appropriateconfiguration for the applicable use, and different thickness puckmembers 578 may be used depending upon the towing vehicle to which theunder bed hitch mounting system 30 may be attached. Further, differentpuck members may have additional features designed therein, including,without limitation including a trim ring feature.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustratedin the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detaileddescription, it is to be understood that the present invention is not tobe limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the inventiondescribed herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modificationsand substitutions without departing from the scope of the claimshereafter. By way of non-limiting example, other accessories may beattached to the vehicle utilizing the under bed hitch mounting system30, such as bike racks, ramps, storage containers, etc. The claims asfollows are intended to include all modifications and alterationsinsofar as they come within the scope of the claims or the equivalentthereof.

I claim:
 1. A hitch mounting system capable of attaching to a vehicle,the vehicle having a frame and a load bed, the hitch mounting systemcomprising: a pair of rails spaced apart from one another, each of thepair of rails being a generally tubular member having a cross-sectionalshape which is defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generallyhollow section; at least one end portion formed from at least one railof the pair of rails, wherein the at least one end portion is deformedin a shape capable of attaching to the frame of the vehicle; at leastone mounting aperture located in at least one rail of the pair of rails;a receiving member positioned over the at least one mounting apertureand welded to at least one rail of the pair of rails, the receivingmember capable of having secured thereto an accessory; and a mid-railattached between the pair of rails, wherein the mid-rail includes ahitch ball socket positioned closer to one rail of the pair of railsthan the other rail of the pair of rails, the hitch ball socket capableof having secured thereto a gooseneck hitch ball.
 2. The hitch mountingsystem of claim 1, wherein the at least one mounting aperture comprisesfirst and second mounting apertures positioned in at least one rail ofthe pair of rails and laterally spaced apart.
 3. The hitch mountingsystem of claim 2 further comprising a second receiving memberpositioned over the second mounting aperture and welded to at least onerail of the pair of rails.
 4. The hitch mounting system of claim 1,wherein the at least one mounting aperture comprises a pair of mountingapertures located in each rail of the pair of rails and spaced laterallyapart from one another.
 5. The hitch mounting system of claim 4 furthercomprising second, third and fourth receiving members positioned overthe pair of mounting apertures in each rail of the pair of rails andwherein the second, third and fourth receiving members are welded inplace.
 6. A hitch mounting system comprising: first and second railslaterally opposed to one another, the first and second rails being agenerally continuous tubular member having a cross-sectional shape whichis defined by an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollowsection, wherein the first and second rails include first and secondsurfaces and at least one end portion, wherein the at least one endportion is formed by deforming the first and second rails; a first pairof mounting apertures located in the first rail; a second pair ofmounting apertures located in the second rail; a first pair of receivingmembers positioned over the first pair of mounting apertures and weldedto the first rail, the first pair of receiving members capable of havingsecured thereto an accessory; a second pair of receiving memberspositioned over the second pair of mounting apertures and welded to thesecond rail, the second pair of receiving members capable of havingsecured thereto an accessory; and a mid-rail attached between the firstand second rails, wherein the mid-rail includes a hitch ball socketpositioned closer to the first rail than the second rail, the hitch ballsocket capable of having secured thereto a gooseneck hitch ball.
 7. Thehitch mounting system of claim 6, wherein the first pair of receivingmembers are welded to the first surface of the first rail, wherein thefirst pair of receiving members are generally flush with a load bed of avehicle when the first and second rails are attached to the frame of thevehicle.
 8. The hitch mounting system of claim 6, wherein the secondpair of receiving members are welded to the first surface of the secondrail, wherein the second pair of receiving members are generally flushwith a load bed of a vehicle when the first and second rails areattached to the frame of the vehicle.
 9. A hitch mounting systemcomprising: first and second rails spaced from one another, each of thefirst and second rails having a cross-sectional shape which is definedby an enclosed peripheral wall with a generally hollow section, whereinthe first rail comprises at least one end portion, wherein the at leastone end portion is formed from the first rail and angled toward a topsurface of the first rail; a first pair of receiving members attached tothe first rail, the first pair of receiving members capable of havingsecured thereto an accessory; a second pair of receiving membersattached to the second rail, the second pair of receiving memberscapable of having secured thereto an accessory; and a mid-rail attachedbetween the first and second rails, wherein the mid-rail includes ahitch ball socket positioned closer to the first rail than the secondrail, the hitch ball socket capable of having secured thereto agooseneck hitch ball.
 10. The hitch mounting system of claim 9, whereinthe second rail comprises at least one second end portion, wherein theat least one second end portion is formed from the second rail andangled toward a top surface of the second rail.